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S.W.B. Folsom

@swbfolsom.bsky.social
497 followers 200 following 564 posts

Award-winning author. Film and music enthusiast. Capable of holding two opposing ideas in my mind at the same time. Neither a tough guy nor a fool. Rarely TwitterX; mostly Bluesky and Substack: open.substack.com/pub/swbfolsom

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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 14h
TwitterX is generally a disgusting place, but it’s posts like this that keep me coming back for more.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
This is not who we are. That said, if the American people don’t stand up and vehemently oppose this — if our representatives in Congress don’t officially condemn this — we may have to finally admit that, yes, this is in fact *exactly* who we are.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Publicly executing Hasan via the internet will only accomplish two things: it will further erode U.S. standing in the international community, and it will also provide real-time martyr fuel for Islamist radicals worldwide.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Does Hasan deserve to die? Yes, I believe he does. His crime was heinous and premeditated. But publicly? *Live-streamed*? Absolutely not.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
But now, with the secretary of defense’s proclamation — authorized by the president— that Hasan will die publicly by firing squad, I can only say once again that the current administration has gone off the rails.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
In general, I no longer really believe in the death penalty. It simply is not an effective deterrent. That said, there are cases where my thoughts are, “Yep, time to put that one down.” This is one of them. 🧵…
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
$108 today to fill up my 2012 Jeep. Thanks, Trump.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Real Starship Troopers vibes. We really are becoming our worst possible selves.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
But is it good? Like, Jack and Coke good?
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Absolutely amazing scene with absolutely amazing music in an absolutely amazing film.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The jokes just write themselves with this administration.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The world as I’d want to see it based on my posts: understanding of war’s aftermath, defense of free speech, skepticism of endless & poorly justified conflicts, prioritizing truth, capacity to hold opposing ideas, & appreciation for music, film, & quiet reflection. This will drive folks crazy on X.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Most people don’t know that, in a past life, I was Buzz Aldrin — the second person to walk on the moon.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
People I’ve known for 30 years have called me anti-American & vilified me for exercising my 1A rights as a retired service member. Meanwhile, SecDef has veterans & active duty trolling the oppo & pushing the administration’s agenda. Sounds a lot like “Free speech for me, but not for thee.”
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Not on the same astral plane as Dolly Parton, but a national treasure nonetheless.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The United States of America is now officially an Idiocracy.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Nothing screams “I am in charge!” like summoning every U.S. flag and general officer for a second time and screaming at them “I am in charge!”
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Years ago, while my field grade lobotomy was in full effect, Jeff’s style irritated me. But after he wrote this article about me I began to appreciate his approach to telling the military’s story — which included speaking truth to power. He will be missed. taskandpurpose.com/news/why-ira...
taskandpurpose.com
Western Iraq Is Like The Bar From ‘Cheers,’ Marine Colonel Tells Reporters
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
If you have anything bad to say about Dolly Parton, please voice it now so I can block you out of my life. Dolly was a glowing ray of light in dark times. She was, simply put, the best of us. We should all be thankful we shared the same timeline as this woman while she walked the earth.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
I have to say, Facebook just became a much more pleasant place once I liberally applied the block feature. Highly recommend, 10/10.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Appreciating you from afar, Diva!
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
You know… for those who still read >gasp< actual, physical books!
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
I’m pleased to announce that Naval Institute Press is releasing both “Where Youth and Laughter Go” and “In the Gray Area” as paperback editions. My sincere thanks, as always, go to both my family and the Marines and sailors who made these stories possible. www.usni.org/press/books/...
usni.org
Where Youth and Laughter Go
The U.S. Naval Institute provides an independent forum for those who seek to advance and strengthen the naval profession.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
You have a say in this matter. Call/email your elected representatives. Tell them to put on their grown-up pants, accept & embrace the responsibility of their elected office, & end this war. The Legislative Branch is co-equal to the Executive & Judicial Branches. It’s time they acted like it.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
There is no strategy for the war in Iran that will result in a U.S. victory which looks like anything but the status quo ante bellum. At this point, all Iran needs to do is wait out the clock.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
The U.S. military has nearly emptied its magazines of critical precision guided munitions — munitions which are hideously expensive, take a *long* time to produce, & are truly needed in other operational theaters where there is a genuine threat to U.S. interests. 🧵
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
static.klipy.com
Benny Hill Making Funny Faces
ALT: Benny Hill Making Funny Faces
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
This is how we’ll win the war in Iran.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Jack3Tree
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Sometimes only a meme will suffice.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Looking back, I’m still amazed how much of the USMC was able to deploy for OIF-1. I MEF pretty much cleared the decks, and the II MEF contribution was nothing to sneeze at. Now? Perish the thought.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
This is apparently the goal.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Once guys start looking like Meatloaf in Fight Club, you can count on it.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The pearl-clutching going on over at X about The Odyssey is super entertaining.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
This administration is just one big @duffelblog.com post
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
I had to hold myself back from quoting Spider-Man. Thank you for acknowledging this!
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Happy 250th birthday, America. I love you. May your fragile experiment continue for another 250 years.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Greatness is not a slogan on a hat. It’s a privilege, one which can be taken away. The U.S. is not, as Madeleine Albright said, the “indispensable nation.” Others can take our place — *will* take our place— if we don’t figure out a way to work together, to live together, to build together. To lead.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
There is an inherent responsibility associated with greatness: the responsibility to lead by the power of our example; to lift others up, not tear them down; to help the less fortunate, whether they are our fellow countrymen or in other lands.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
As Winston Churchill allegedly said (but probably didn’t), “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing — after they’ve tried everything else." With that in mind, we should strive to spend more time and effort doing the right thing first and less time and effort doing everything else.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Has America done great things in the last 250 years? Yes. Has our country done terrible things? Also yes. Two things can be true at the same time. We can celebrate our achievements while simultaneously acknowledging our mistakes.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Unless you are Native American, your ancestors came from somewhere else. They came here in search of something different, in search of a better life — that, plus liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Yes, people made this country great… different people. People who came from somewhere else. If you are an American and you’re reading this, remember that you likely came from somewhere else too.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
There are no less-thans; there are no ignoble professions. Our country is a vast mosaic, a multi-hued tableau of the power of diversity.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
*People* made this country great — all kinds of people: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, immigrants, men, women, LGBTQIA+, white collar, blue collar, farmers, laborers, factory workers, service members, teachers, scientists, medical professionals, first responders… the list is endless
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
As everyone celebrates the United States’ 250th birthday today, please consider a few things. A 🧵…
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
I swear, it must be exhausting to be so anti-woke/anti-DEI that one feels compelled to complain about others celebrating multiculturalism on July 4th weekend.
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S.W.B. Folsom @swbfolsom.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Hands-down the greatest July 4th movie ever made.
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